What affects your rate in California
California bans both credit score and gender as auto rating factors (Prop 103 of 1988; gender ban under Title 10 CCR §2632.11 since Jan 1, 2019). Insurers must price on driving record, mileage and experience instead.
How California compares
| Benchmark | Per year |
|---|---|
| California | $1,417 |
| National average | $1,438 |
| Most expensive — Florida | $1,994 |
| Cheapest — Maine | $926 |
Source: NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report (combined average premium per insured vehicle, 2023 data, released February 2026).
Frequently asked questions
How much does car insurance cost in California?
The average driver in California pays about $1,417 per year — roughly $118 a month — for full-coverage car insurance, according to the NAIC 2023 Auto Insurance Database Report. State-minimum coverage typically costs much less.
Is car insurance more expensive in California than the U.S. average?
No. At $1,417 per year, California is about 2% below the national average of $1,438. That ranks it 17th out of 51 states and D.C. by cost.
Why is car insurance cheaper in California?
California bans both credit score and gender as auto rating factors (Prop 103 of 1988; gender ban under Title 10 CCR §2632.11 since Jan 1, 2019). Insurers must price on driving record, mileage and experience instead.
Does California use your credit score to set car insurance rates?
No. California is one of only four states (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan) that ban credit-based insurance scoring, so your credit history cannot legally affect your premium here.
How can I lower my car insurance in California?
Compare quotes from several insurers, raise your deductible, bundle auto with home or renters, and keep a clean driving record. For the same driver, premiums in California can differ by hundreds of dollars between companies, so shopping around is the biggest lever.
About this estimate. The base figure is the NAIC combined average premium for California (liability + collision + comprehensive, 2023). The calculator applies published industry multipliers (age, credit, record, coverage) from secondary sources (Bankrate / ValuePenguin modeled rates) and is an estimate for informational purposes only — not an insurance quote or offer. Credit-tier adjustments are not applied in states that ban credit-based insurance scoring (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan). See our full methodology.